18 July, 22
A Great Night’s Sleep In The Summer Is Easier Than You Think
Summer is a season for ice-cold drinks, vacations, and creating new memories with family. We may love the sunny days, but let’s be honest, our houses – especially in parts of Europe – are not designed for the heat. It’s rarely very hot here, and Euro homes are great at trapping the heat and cooling is an afterthought.
So, during those long, hot days and muggy nights, it can be hard to catch those much-needed 8 hours of sleep. Add in a monstrous heatwave and it can be impossible to get a good nap in.
The ideal temperature for sleep is 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius). This is hard to achieve during a heatwave unless you have an air conditioner (like those in Spanish villas). But that seriously raises electricity bills.
When you fall asleep, your body needs to reduce a few degrees, which naturally happens during the night, “But when the temperature heats up, it’s harder for our bodies to shift this heat, and so we struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep…When you’re exposed to heat throughout the day and into the late evenings, that warm temperature is counter-intuitive to going into sleep.” says Neil Stanley, author of How To Sleep Well.
This is where social media trends kick into hyperdrive finding cooler ways to sleep in the summer – it’s practically an online genre. We’ve all seen those ‘this-hack-will-help-you-nod-off’ videos, so we’re sharing some of the most common and bizarre trends out there:
- Ice Cubes In A Roasting Pan
If you haven’t heard of this, it’s been around for ages. Fill a roasting pan with ice cubes and place them somewhere in the corner of your bedroom (preferably in front of a fan). This might sound like an excellent way to drum up a cool breeze. But-hey, what happens when you’ve been asleep for an hour and the ice melts? I can’t imagine refilling the roasting pan every few hours.
- Sleeping Naked
We’ve heard this popular theory many times. Hot nights make you want to strip down and sleep in the buff in the hopes of getting cooler. However, leading Sleep Physiologist at London’s Cromwell Hospital, Julius Patrick told Cosmopolitanthat sleeping naked actually does more harm than good. “When you sleep naked, sweat collects on the body and then remains there. However hot it is when you drift off, remember your body temperature will drop during the night…If you’re wearing light clothes to sleep in, it soaks up any sweat you have, which can cool you down.” There’s another melted idea.
- PJs In The Freezer?
I’m sorry, what? Place your PJs in Ziploc bags and freeze them before wearing to bed? I’m not too thrilled about sticky, fabric clinging to my body, melting, and soaking my mattress. If someone dares to try this, do let me know the outcome, inquisitive writer here.
But before you go ahead and give these wacky viral trends a try, here’s something simple you can do right now:
Change your bedding!
Rather than thick comforters so cozy on winter nights, make the seasonal switch to lightweight bedding that will keep you cool and dry.
This summer I’m making my bed with fresh sheets that keep me calm, clean, and – most importantly – provide a great night’s sleep.
1. Parachute
Cotton and Linen sheets are best during the hotter months. Parachute uses top-of-the-line organic materials. This natural line has everything from pillows to sheets to comforters.
I’ll admit it, I got Parachute due to the hype. But once I tried it, it’s by far the most comfortable sheets I’ve slept on. They also have a range of robes and linen loungewear, including tanks in which you can fall asleep – better than sleeping naked!2. Brooklinen
Snagging a pair – or a few – of Brooklinen sheets are one of our hottest buys. With 100% long-staple cotton and temperature regulating abilities put me to sleep like a baby.
Brooklinen’s sheets come in a luxe array of colors so they fit aesthetically in any room and only get softer over time. Their bundle arrives with everything you need – a flat sheet, fitted sheet, four pillowcases, and a duvet cover that you can save for chillier seasons. Beyond their bundles, you can purchase individually or choose from an impressive range of sets. For those who want to go a little fancier, Brooklinen also has a heathered cashmere bedding set.
3. Nectar
On those warm nights, satin sheets are an excellent option. Unlike other materials, silk and satin isn’t sticky and is known to refresh the skin. If you’re looking for satin sheets, then Nectar is the place.
Although these sheets are only available in white, they add a classic touch to your bedroom. Because white reflects the sun, they keep your bed cool. The Nectar sheet provides a particular shine and smooth feel that makes you feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud. An excellent choice for anyone – like me – who experiences all four seasons in Europe.